BTK residents hold peaceful protest against ‘blatant terrorism’

The residents, builders and property dealers of Bahria Town Karachi (BTK) on Monday held a peaceful demonstration against the attack by miscreants on Sunday, which caused losses worth billions of rupees on the grand housing scheme, calling it an "act of terror".

Bahria Town Dealers Association Chairperson Raheel Haroon, while talking to the media, said that BTK has repeatedly stated that it did not occupy anyone's lands unjustly and if anyone proves illegal possession of even an inch of his land, BTK will be held responsible.

He said that BTK has already faced an independent investigation and is still ready to do so. BTK not only brought foreign investment of expatriate Pakistanis, but also succeeded in providing employment and high quality housing facilities to the people of Sindh.

Haroon said BTK will never reciprocate violence with violence rather it will adopt the path of knocking the doors of the court and the government, the representative of the business community of BTK said.

Cases filed

Meanwhile, 120 suspects accused arrested in riot and arson cases in BTK were produced before anti-terrorism administrative court.

The court approved a two-day remand of the suspects on the request of Gadap City police station investigation officer who said police want to question the suspects about their accomplices.

Three cases have been registered at Gadap City police station, two by the SHO Ashraf Jan of the precinct on behalf of the state and one by the security manager of BTK. The cases bear Anti-Terrorism Act Clause 7.

Meanwhile, East District SSP Investigation Arab Mehar has formed 12 investigation teams to probe the incident.

Political leaders visit BTK

A representative delegation of Muttahida Qaumi Movement visited BTK to express solidarity with the affected people. Senior Deputy Convener Aamir Khan, Deputy Convener Kanwar Naveed Jameel, Wasim Akhtar and elected representatives of the party denounced the attack by miscreants and termed it failure of the government to provide security to citizens. MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar has called a protest at the Quaid's Mazaar on June 11.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2021.